Michele reported on items from the President’s Cabinet meeting: announced 12/19 not a closure day as previously scheduled and that April 5 (Holy Thursday) to take its place this fiscal year; reviewed a Faculty Senate resolution encouraging all faculty and students to use Blackboard; reported that the university’s Emergency Plan, while primarily focusing on hurricane preparedness for now, will be expanded to include every department and every possible scenario; reviewed efforts of the Tutorial & Academic Enhancement Center to assist students in enhancing learning potential.

Amendments to By-Laws

Proposal #1: to Article I, B, to change the eligibility of membership on the council from two calendar years to 12 months: Lydia moved to reject as proposed, Rick seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. James proposed a new change to this section: “Eligible individuals include any member of the Association who has been employed full time regardless of classification for a minimum of 24 consecutive months at Nicholls State University.” This proposal will be on the January agenda.

Proposal #2: to Article I, last paragraph to clarify that association members shall have one opportunity to vote for the candidates within their division. Renee moved to accept, James seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Proposal #3: to Article I, D, to add language to allow a vacated position on the council to remain vacant if there is six months or less left in the term. James moved to accept, Renee seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Proposal #4: to Article II, A, 2 & 3: to delete “conduct annual Unclassified Staff Opinion Survey” from the duties of the vice president and add to the duties of the recording secretary. Lydia moved to accept, Cindy seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Proposal #5: regarding Article III, to add as H, 1: to provide for voting by proxy. James moved to reject as proposed, Lydia seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Lydia proposed a new amendment for this purpose: “Voting by Proxy: When a pre-planned vote and been scheduled for a particular meeting and a council member cannot attend, he/she may cast an absentee vote in writing or via e-mail to any council member or to the president prior to the meeting. If it is submitted by e-mail, the recipient must print it out and the hard copy must be brought to the meeting at which the vote will take place. The printed copy in either form should then be entered into the official record.” This proposal will be on the January agenda.

Proposal #6: to Article IV, A: to clarify voting by e-mail by adding “This response and e-mail vote should be sent to all members of the Council.” James moved to accept, Donna seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Constituent input

Two constituent comments discussed: 1) that unclassified staff should be given raises on a more consistent basis and that additional development that results in a certification or license should receive a monetary reward, and 2) that the process for changing job descriptions be changed to ensure two-way feedback prior to changes being implemented. Michele said she would ask that Lionel Naquin request information from Human Resources on how job descriptions are created, altered and approved. The council will review at a later date.

Subcommittee on salary review

Seven association members volunteered to serve on a Subcommittee on Salary Review: Allie Johnson, Stacy Pate, Diane Garvey and Craig Jacuzzo (all from Student Affairs), and Kelly Rodrigue, Renee Allemand and Jean Ayo (from Academic Affairs). After a brief discussion, the council voted to appoint Craig Jacuzzo, Diane Garvey, Kelly Rodrigue, Renee Allemand and Stacy Pate to the subcommittee, to be chaired by James Irwin. The subcommittee plans an initial meeting in early December to chart its purpose, review relevant information and determine appropriate recommendations.

Other

Michele suggested the next council meeting be in January, and all agreed. There being no other business, the motion to adjourn passed unanimously.